conspicuous by absence

conspicuous by (one's)/its absence

Especially noticeable by being missing or absent (from something). You're the loudest one in the class, so of course you're conspicuous by your absence! The governor's economic stimulus plan was conspicuous by its absence during his speech this afternoon. A: "How could you tell that I didn't add cinnamon this time?" B: "Well, it's a flavor that's pretty conspicuous by its absence."

See also: absence, by, conspicuous

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*conspicuous by one's absence

Cliché noticeably absent (from an event). (*Typically: be ~; made ~.) How could the bride's father miss the wedding? He was certainly conspicuous by his absence.

See also: absence, by, conspicuous

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.